I'm Out!

Thought I'd post one last time before I head down to FL for vacation. I'm really excited to get out of the cold for a while and see some old friends. Not much to report around here. The Jamis is done and looking sexy with new brakes and fork all installed by yours truly! Now I just have to sit and wait for all this snow to melt. We also just put up our xmas tree yesterday, yeah, its a little late but I've been very busy.
In my travels to many markets and shops around the city I've been collecting different brands of sardines! I know its weird but I do like them and some of them have this great '50's look to them. So I've been buying them up with the intent of doing a little taste test. Sardines are one of those foods that hold a special mystic with me. I think its because I have very vivid memories of my Dad eating sardine sandwiches when we lived in Connecticut (also salamis but thats another post). The funny thing is I eat them in the same way. Either on some dark rye or some of that hard Scandinavian cracker bread with a little butter. Whether or not these memories are real or something I've pieced together doesn't hold much value for me. The fact that such a simple food can bring me comfort and enjoyment is whats important. I've never been one to put much stock in food trends and fine dinning. I enjoy food in its simplest forms, no pretentious menus, no mangled sauces or forced emulsions. I'm glad the industry is moving towards embracing locals produce and "comfort" foods. The fact that pork belly costs as much as a steak is amazing!
So the next time you eat something don't just wolf it down. Take the time to consider why you like something. Associating food with a moment in time or a certain sense is a huge part of the overall experience. I have my sardines that remind me of a lake in our back yard and my Dad sitting on the porch eating sandwiches in the summer. The fact is, that is what food is all about, enjoyment. Nothing more, nothing less.